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Press Release

Flu Season 2000-01

FLU VACCINE DISTRIBUTION: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does the government control distribution
of flu vaccine in the United States?

No. All influenza vaccine for use in the United States is produced in
the private sector, and more than 90% of influenza vaccine is
distributed in the United States through private-sector distributors
for use by health care providers. CDC has no control over the
distribution of the private-sector influenza vaccine. Factors that may
influence the time orders are received include the company that the
order was placed with (some companies experienced more delay than
others in producing vaccine), the date the order was received
(companies tend to fill orders on a first-come, first-serve basis),
contractual obligations (some companies may have contracts with
penalties for nondelivery of vaccine) and the target group served.
Companies have been urged to target providers who serve persons at
high risk of complications from influenza.

State health departments have purchased 2 million doses of influenza
vaccine through a CDC-negotiated contract with two vaccine
manufacturers. State and local health departments may purchase vaccine
through other mechanisms as well.

For this season only, CDC has contracted for the production of an
additional 9 million doses of vaccine to help make sure there is
enough vaccine for people at highest risk of complications from flu.
CDC and the manufacturer of this additional vaccine have agreed on a
process to prioritize orders from public and private providers for
these doses. Highest priority will be given to distribute the 9
million doses to unvaccinated persons who are at highest risk for
complications from influenza and health care workers who care for such
persons.

Have you received reports from doctors
who say they have not yet received influenza vaccine for their high
risk patients?

Yes, we have heard reports like this and understand their concern. We
want to reassure health care providers that a substantial amount of
vaccine will be distributed later into the season than usual,
including approximately 42 percent of this year's supply in November
and 30 percent in December. Flu vaccine distribution nationwide will
not be uniform this season. For that reason, we are urging those at
high risk of complications from influenza to be patient but persistent
in obtaining the vaccine as soon as it becomes available in their
community. It is important to remember that it is still early in the
season and the virus is not circulating widely.

In addition, CDC is working with our partners, including the AMA, the
AAP and the AAFP to ensure that information about flu vaccine
distribution and ACIP recommendations for this season is distributed.
We have also been in contact with vaccine manufacturers to relay our
recommendations.

There are reports that some vaccine
distributors are breaking contracts with private providers in order to
provide vaccine to mass immunizers, such as chain pharmacies or
grocery stores-- and that in many instances, by doing this, they can
charge more money for vaccine. What is CDC or DHHS doing about this
practice?

HHS and CDC strongly discourage practices that might divert influenza
vaccine away from those who need it the most, or that would take
advantage of the current situation to make additional profit at others
expense. CDC and the ACIP recommend that when influenza vaccine first
becomes available, vaccination efforts should be focused on persons at
high risk for complications associated with influenza disease, and
health care workers.

What are you advising people at high risk
for complications from influenza or providers to do if they are having
difficulty obtaining vaccine?

We are encouraging people at high risk to contact their health care
providers, local public health clinics or state health departments to
inquire about the availability of vaccine. They can also check media
outlets such as newspapers, radio stations, or other public
information sources for information on clinics in their community. CDC
has established a website to help providers locate influenza vaccine
in their area. The website is located at
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/flu-vac-supply/, and lists State Health
Departments who have agreed to assist callers with information on
providers at the local level who have reported they have surplus
vaccine that they are willing to provide to other health care
providers in need.

What is CDC doing to minimize the impact
of the delays?

CDC has contracted for 9 million additional doses of vaccine to be
produced this year which will be available in December. These
additional doses will be used to help fill some gaps to vaccinate
people at highest risk of complications of influenza. The vaccine can
be obtained by contacting the company directly and information on how
to apply to purchase from this vaccine supply is provided in the
MMWR, dated November 3, 2000.

What is CDC doing to educate providers
and the public regarding the recommendations for this year's influenza
season?

CDC is implementing a public education and media campaign to inform
those at high risk for influenza to get their influenza shots as soon
as the vaccine becomes available and to educate those not at high risk
about the importance of getting influenza vaccine later than usual in
the flu season. CDC has also issued information to health care
providers and organizations to help minimize the adverse impact of
delays.

There are many reports of grocery stores
that are providing influenza vaccination to anyone willing to pay.
What is CDC doing about this, given the recommendations that vaccine
available in October should have been focused on persons at high risk
for complications associated with influenza disease, and health care
workers?

CDC does not have any legal authority over these stores, and is
relying on voluntary efforts from vaccine providers and members of the
public to ensure that persons at highest risk are vaccinated first.
CDC also encourages physicians who do not have sufficient vaccine yet
for their high risk patients to refer them to sites in the community
where vaccine is available, and encourages persons at high risk who
cannot get it from their physician to seek other sites in their
community where vaccine is available.